BALTIMORE — She didn’t want to give her name. She didn’t want to talk about anthems or protests or social injustice.

“We came here to watch the game,” this Baltimore Ravens fan said Sunday on the cusp of a sunny football afternoon.

She spoke for many across the land. Some see kneeling during the national anthem as patriotic protest. Some see it as disrespect to flag and country. And some see it as something they don’t want to think about as they settle in to watch the football games they attend to forget the troubles of the world outside the stadium walls.

The national anthem was an NFL flashpoint for another Sunday, but at what seemed a lower temperature this time. The heat on display as the anthem played last Sunday came just two days after President Trump said NFL owners should fire the “son of a b---” who fail to stand when it’s playing.

The passage of time probably played a part in Sunday’s apparently lower temps, but perhaps it was also because the president had moved on to other targets, as is his wont, picking improbable Twitter beefs over this weekend with the mayor of suffering San Juan, Puerto Rico and his own secretary of state.

Trump did tweet this on Saturday: “Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!”

The Ravens found a middle ground. They briefly took a knee before the anthem — to loud booing — and then stood for The Star-Spangled Banner here in the city where Francis Scott Key wrote it in 1814.

All this began a year ago, when Colin Kaepernick — then of the San Francisco 49ers and now a displaced quarterback — protested during the anthem to shine a light on issues of social injustice and racially motivated police brutality. Trump’s fire-them rant at an Alabama rally — ignoring what the protests are about and centering instead on when they take place — reignited the controversy.

Fans on both sides of a national divide attended Sunday’s game at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.

Mitchell Scott, a 20-year Air Force veteran from Waldorf, Md., said he supports the protests wholeheartedly. “As someone who fought to defend the Constitution,” he said, “I’m happy.”

Larry Legg, of Henderson, Md., wants protests out of sports. “You play in this country, respect this country,” he said.

But what about the idea that the protests are about social injustice?

“Then make it about the social issues,” he said, “and not about the flag of this country that gives you the opportunity to be here and to be millionaires.”

Scott, the Air Force vet, mentioned the deaths of Freddie Gray in Baltimore and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.

“It’s about so many people who lost their lives, unnecessarily,” Scott said. “They’re trying to raise attention to it. So I understand what they’re doing. My thing is, when you take a knee, you’re not disrupting the (anthem), you are taking a knee in silence, in reverence, to the issue.”

In Glendale, Ariz., where San Francisco was playing its first game since Trump’s remarks, roughly 30 49ers kneeled. The Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins were among other teams who had some players kneel. Some teams stood but linked arms in solidarity. Nine or so Browns raised fists as they stood in Cleveland.

One Browns fan held up a sign that said: “Only here cuz season tickets already paid for! We support those who stand!”

The White House calls all this a black-and-white issue, but some fans see shades of gray.

“I don’t agree with the protests but I respect the players as people,” Denver Broncos fan Morgan Paulk said. “I know a lot of my friends are people I disagree with, but they’re still my friends. If we don’t have freedom of speech for everybody, we don’t have freedom of speech for anybody.”

Paulk wore an orange Brandon Marshall jersey, No. 54. Paulk bought it before last season and didn’t know what to do when Marshall joined Kaepernick’s protest for a time in 2016. Paulk’s solution: He put American flag patches on the upper left front and center back, above Marshall’s name.

“These are $100, you know,” he said. Since, he wears the jersey to every game: “I had one guy, two weeks ago, he said, ‘What’s the deal with the shirt?’ I said, ‘Well, you know what the deal is.’ ”

Zaid Rodriguez wore a red 49ers Kaepernick jersey as he raised money for a sixth-grade youth football team he helps coach. He said some Broncos fans said they’d donate if he took the jersey off; others shook his hand.

Jose Romero, who said he served two tours in Iraq, including the first Desert Storm, wore a Broncos Super Bowl 50 shirt.

“As a retired Marine and a Bronco fan, it’s mixed emotions,” he said. “I love my team, but I love my country more.”

Romero said it is all about respect: “Respect where you live, respect your country, respect the troops and respect each other.”

Trey Long of Aurora, Colo., usually flies one American flag and one Broncos flag at his tailgate. This time, he had two American flags. He wants politics out of football. He just wants to watch the games.

“It’s upsetting, it’s disappointing,” he said. “I understand both sides. It’s disappointing from Trump, and I’ve been somewhat of a Trump supporter. So just very disappointing.

“But then with the players, I just feel like it takes away from what the country is about. Even the arm-in-arm thing, I don’t know if I’m a big fan of it. I still think they’re taking away from the national anthem.”

Last week Long unfollowed Von Miller, and other Broncos who’d protested, on social media. “To make a point,” he said.

But, by this weekend, Long was following them again.

Rickey Mitchell of DuPont, Wash., said he is a 23-year-veteran of U.S. Army with a son and son-in-law in the military. He was wearing a Seahawks jersey prior to Sunday night's game with the Colts in Seattle.

“It doesn’t bother me. I’m going to stand, I don’t care what they do,” he said. “Somebody does something wrong or right every day. I’m not going to have a heart attack or a stroke or high blood pressure worrying about somebody else.”

Jennifer Newton of Mesa, Ariz., speaking before the Arizona Cardinals played the 49ers, said she is sick of the protests.

“They just need to knock it off,” she said, “and the President needs to stay out of it.”

Nov. 5: Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt stands in support of his teammates, including Michael Bennett, who are sitting during the singing of the national anthem before the game against the Washington Redskins. Elaine Thompson, AP

Oct. 29: Defensive tackle Carlos Watkins (91) and his Texans teammates kneel during the national anthem before kickoff against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 29: Texans quarterback Tom Savage, right, holds the hand of quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before the start of a game against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers players kneel during the performance of the national anthem before an NFL football game between the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. Eric Risberg, AP

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Robert Quinn (94) raises his right fist during the USA national anthem before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the NFL International Series game at Twickenham Stadium. Steven Flynn, USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles players Malcolm Jenkins (27) and Rodney McLeod (23) raise their fists as they stand with head coach Doug Pederson during the national anthem before a game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Charlotte. Mike McCarn, AP

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Aaron Colvin (22) and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) cross their arms during the national anthem before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) and linebacker Steve Longa (54) kneel during the national anthem before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul (84) and linebackers Ryan Anderson (52) and Chris Carter (55) kneel with teammates during the playing of the national anthem before the game against the Oakland Raiders at FedEx Field. Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder stands with cornerbacks Josh Norman (24), Bashaud Breeland (26) and safety D.J. Swearinger (36) during the playing of the national anthem before the game against the Oakland Raiders at FedEx Field. Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers tight ends Lance Kendricks (84) and Martellus Bennett (80) sit on the bench during the national anthem prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) sits during the national anthem as Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) and center Justin Britt (68) stand next to him prior to kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins, center, raises his fist as he stands between teammates Chris Long, left, and Rodney McLeod during a rendition of the national anthem before a against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Landover, Md. Alex Brandon, AP

Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) and defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) raise their hands after the national anthem before a game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. James Kenney, AP

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) raises his fist during the performance of the national anthem before a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Rams in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP

Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt (68), and cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) stand near defensive end Michael Bennett (72) as Bennett sits on the bench during the national anthem before the team's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Seattle. Scott Eklund, AP

Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles holds his fist in the air while Chris Long of the Philadelphia Eagles puts his arm around him during the national anthem prior to the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mitchell Leff, Getty Images

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cameron Jefferson raising his fist during the national anthem before an preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Jefferson says he gained the courage to raise his fist in protest during the anthem once he saw Chris Long hug Eagles teammate Malcolm Jenkins on the opposite sideline on Thursday. Matt Rourke, AP

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) sits during the National Anthem prior to a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn, right, gestures during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. Jae Hong, AP

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raises his fist in the air during the national anthem before a game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. John Sleezer, AP

San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35), quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) kneel during the national anthem while members of the military hold the flag before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi's Stadium. Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) kneels during the national anthem before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) kneels during the national anthem before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and teammate 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Kirby Lee,USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, middle, sits during the National Anthem before an NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: CACC105 Chris Carlson, AP